Landon Donovan highlights First XI

He understands that soccer in America needs an ambassador. Actually, he realizes the sport needs many ambassadors, and he’s embracing his role.

I spoke with Donovan twice today on two separate calls, and one thing stands out above all else: the L.A. Galaxy star embraces the burden of being considered the greatest American soccer player of his generation.

Moreover, he understands that with that title there is a certain responsibility.

“In the past it would have been pressure, but I’m embracing this,” Donovan said. “And I really enjoy it now. I’m very proud of what we were able to accomplish. There’s only so many opportunities in your career that you get to do things like this, and I think we all embraced the moment and took hold of it and made it our own.

“It was really special to be a part of, and it’s also nice now to get back and continue playing and continually having our names and faces and teams playing. And it continues again with a really exciting and really fun game with our All-Star team to play against Manchester United.”

Donovan and fellow national team forward Edson Buddle were two of a league-high four L.A. Galaxy players named Tuesday to the MLS First XI for the July 28 game against the famed Red Devils of the English Premier League at Reliant Stadium.

Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts and young defender Omar Gonzalez were the other members of the Galaxy, who sit atop the MLS table this season.

Former Dynamo star midfielder Dwayne De Rosario of Toronto FC, Chad Marshall and Guillermo Barros Schelotto of the Columbus Crew, and Jamison Olave, Javier Morales and Kyle Beckerman of Real Salt Lake and Marco Pappa of the Chicago Fire round out the First XI.

Because Toronto and the league-leading Galaxy are playing CONCACAF Champions League games on July 27, it appears unlikely that De Rosario of Toronto FC or Donovan and the Galaxy players will see extensive playing time on July 28 against Manchester United.

Speaking of the Dynamo, assistant John Spencer has left the organization for personal reasons.

I’m assured by the organization that he left on his own accord and wasn’t fired. Spencer has been considered one of the top coaching candidates in the last two years.

In the short time I’ve known him and the brief discussions I had with him, I really admired Spencer’s spunk and desire to support his players.

It’s been a busy day, but a birdie told me that I need to stay busy uncovering some other action with the Dynamo. I’ll have more on that later today or early tomorrow.

Goalkeeper Pat Onstad, who has what he calls a bit of a dead (left) leg, practiced separately from the other goalkeepers today.

“He got a little bit of dead leg,” Kinnear said. “We were doing a lot of shooting today. He was a little bit sore, so I just said ‘you can do some other stuff instead of taking shots,’ which the other goalkeepers, I think, appreciate because it gives them more action too.”

Fortunately for the Dynamo, Tally Hall is a good backup goalkeeper who has displayed an ability to step in for Onstad.